Author: Brent McLaren

Browsing through the August / September edition of Our Canada magazine reveals an interesting article. Author Lynn Bilton has written an article in the My Hometown section on the Ontario Guild’s Provincial Championship which was held this year in Lynn’s hometown of Cobourg.

Click on the image to see the article in full-size …

Here a big Town Crier Shout-out to Lynn for her article. Clearly worth a “Bell’s Up!“

YWCA Walk-A-Mile-In-Her-Shoes Charity for Violence Against Women. (May 26th, 2019)Accompanied by members of the OPP Bracebridge Detachment – Officer holding bell is Skeeter Kruger, son of Bracebridge Town Crier Bruce Kruger

Wiarton Willie predicts an early spring and Crier Bruce Kruger was there to let everyone know.

Just for the record, there were conflicting predictions from Canada’s two most famous forecasting groundhogs, with Wiarton Willie heralding an early spring while Shubenacadie Sam claims there will be six more weeks of winter.

On July 14th, 2018, the Seventeenth Annual Muskoka Escapades of Town Competition was held in Bracebridge. The first cry was hosted at the Bracebridge Farmers Market with the second cry held at Santa’s Village. Santa and Mrs. Claus presented the winners with their prizes kindly donated by the Farmers Market and Santa’s Village as follows: Prizes awarded as follows:

First Place – Crier Bill McKee – The Township of Uxbridge & Port Perry – Scugog Township & City of Oshawa
Second Place – Crier Mark Molnar – City of St. Catharines
Third Place – Crier Les Whiting – Town of Petrolia
Most Humorous Cry – Crier Bill McKee – The Township of Uxbridge & Port Perry-Scugog Township
Best Supporting Escort – Escort Karen Whiting – Town of Petrolia

After the competition, many of the Criers & Escorts cruised aboard Santa’s Jet Boat up the Muskoka River to Kruger’s residence, disembarking to join the other Criers/Escorts, judges and helpers for great fellowship and dinner.

On behalf of my wife/escort, Lynn, and me… I extend congratulations to the winners and again… many thanks to everyone who attended making it another… great day of fun & fellowship! Thanks also to Skeeter, Willie & Tammy for cooking and serving, which was great.

To the judges… thanks for all your efforts and a special thanks to Steve Clement and Jill Harris for all of your support behind the scenes, including setting up the tent and chairs plus Steve providing the running water at the bandstand!